Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-01-27
MAKING FAST TINE
A Locomotive Engineer Relates Some Of Ills
Experiences How He Carried Gen. johnson
Over the Road

Omaha Republican
On the Union Pacific road Is an engi-
neer known from Omaha 70 Pocatello as
the wild Irishman," though he has an
other and one of the most poetieal and
sweet sounding names imaginable, given
to him some thirty-hye years ago by his
dear old Enthusiastically Monahan.
For short his friends call him Tim"
and there are very few people along the
road who have not heard something about
the man.
In his profession Tim is king, roy
al fellow, and the lightning runner of
the vest Other engineers look up 10
him and wonder how he acquired such
an enviable reputation While reporter
for the Republican was standing in front
of the Rock Island ticket Office on Farm
ham street yesterday, talking with I. 4.
Entrikin. Tim came along and stopped
to say how do. It so happened that
ne was in excellent spirits and chatty
mood. Replying to inquiries concerning
his present whereabouts on the road, COM
PEELED Tim to reveal the fact ne had just
been changed around and put back oa
the Denver run again
Recently he has been steering one of
department finally concluded that 1t was
inadvisable to keep so valuable man
where the responsibility was not great
enough to dsbar engineers of less exp-r-
fence. This information led Entriken 10
remark that it was impossible TO keep the
"Wild Irishman" under a bushel. Then
tbs two proceeded to relate several en-
thusiastic stories regarding the young
mans foot board career. These were sup
plemented however, with numerous in
terrogations from Entrikin. as to vheth-
or Tim remembered such and sueh occa-
sions when he lmmortalized himself and
terrorized passengers who rode behind
him. To this Tim would smile great,
broad time-card smile, and say: by the
powers and l do that"
One of the memorable events over
which there was great laughter and many
deep studied sighs for the days gone by
came to pass when Tim was running
passenger on the Wabash between Coun-
Gil Cuffs and st. Louis. He IS said to be
the most wonderful man living for max
ing up lost time. 1t was on balmy
summer evening when he pulled out of
Council Bluffs an hour and thirty minutes
late Mr.. Entrikin and two young ladies,
one of whom is now Mrs. Entrikin, beg
ged to be allowed the privileges of riding
on the engine. 1t was granted to them,
asa in they climbed. Over Tins hand
some Irish face could have been noticed
= grin that bespoke the delightful
thoughts that coursed through his mind,
and devilish twinkle played lively airs
on the cords of his bright sparkling eyes.
The then future Mrs. Entrikin planted
herself on Tins seat, while her girl com
panion and young man lover occupied
the cushioned resting place of the fire
man. With one arm behind the Young
lady to steady himself, and at the same
time brace her, and the other hand on
the leAer Tim slowly guided his tran
through the yards until they had passed
the limit post, then as he told the story
himself:
Il comrenced TO let her 90, she was
rolling along at the rate of mile a min
ute, and every once in while l could see
Entrikin clutchins the cab frame tighter
and growing pale, but the girls never
hInched. The old thing ratified off twenty
six miles in twenty-six minutes. and not
knowing the danger they thought it was
Just splendid. But Entrikin-Ill bet you
a red lantern that the prints of his fin
gers are visible to-day in the wood work
of that old cab
''The funniest snap about the rum"
continued Tin. remains to be told. Our
superintendent was on the train, and had
been aggfavating me. Only two or three
days before, when coming up from
st. Louis we were late, but got into
Council Bluffs on the dot, and was feeling
good until the old superintendent step
ped up and coldly informed me that if l
had not arrived on time the engine would
have been taken from me. OF course
that did not worry me to amount to any
thing, though when | discovered he was
on the train next day you can bet a feel
ing of satisfaction ran through my body.
As stated before we left Council Bluffs
an hour and thirty minutes late. At the
end of the first thirty miles old Roberts,
the superintendent pulled the bell-cord
on me, but paid no attention to it. The
throttle was wide open, the old thing
fairly flew, and the telegraph poles looked
like teeth ia a fine comb. Finally the
fireman came over and asked me to let
up, but l did not hear him. When we
stopped at the division the conductor
ShAliN ibEhtth anu lAlQ mt tLAdL IL L uAQH Z
run slower he would discharge me. /
sent him right back to tell Roberts that
/ had only commenced to run; that from
there 1 proposed TO show him where fast
time had its origin, aud say stranger If
you ever saw a train whiz it was that one.
Did | get to st. Louis all right? Well,
now, I'm blowed if that amt question
for you. Wen [ should say so. And
when she stopped l stepped off to wait
for the superindent TO come along and
give me my walking papers. He did
come up TO where was standing. and
said hello Tint and walked by. When
a messenger came over to my house next
morning, however, he brought me letter
from the superintendent, which read;
De not try to make up lost time until
further orders"
When Mr. Monahan left the Wabash
and came on TO the Union Pacific. he was
informed that no driver of a locomotive
had ever put a foot on the iron step of a
mill labeled u. p who could get over
ground fast enough to suit the officials of
that corporation.
In 1870 he and four other Knights of
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